Comparison of Hemodynamic and Analgesic Effects of Subcutaneous Dexmedetomidine Versus Marcaine 0.5% on Herniorrhaphy Scheduled Patients

The study addressed the comparative hemodynamic and analgesic effects of subcutaneous dexmedetomidine versus marcaine 0.5% on herniorrhaphy scheduled patients, as well as postoperative pain management.

This double-blind trial enrolled three groups of patients (N=120) scheduled for herniorrhaphy at Valiasr Hospital (Arak, Iran): (i) MAR-DEX group, receiving marcaine 0.5% (5 mg) + dexmedetomidine (1 mcg/kg), (ii) MAR group, marcaine 0.5% (5 mg), and (iii) PBO group, placebo, subcutaneously. We measured vital signs (BP/HR/SaO2), as well as pain scores (using the visual analog scale) at recovery and certain time points (1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 hrs post-op), and the overall opioid administered postoperatively and side effects. This was afterward followed by an SPSS (20) analysis.

Lower pain was revealed in the MAR-DEX group and higher one in the PBO group (p = 0.0001), whereas the lowest opioid use was observed in the MAR-DEX group (p = 0.0001).

Adding dexmedetomidine had benefits of relieving pain and reducing opioid use without any side effects.